Raising the RUF with two Geneva debuts

RUF CTR Anniversary and RUF GT bow and wow

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT. This is the CTR Anniversary.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

Share

German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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These are your color choices.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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The new RUF GT, nased on the 991.2 GTS.

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German carmaker and tuner RUF introduced two new models at Geneva, the CTR Anniversary and the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT.

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RUF also restores and re-engineers all 911s.

Sticklers for detail will point out that supercar and Porsche perfecter RUF actually celebrated the 30th anniversary of its iconic CTR at Geneva two years ago. But that was only when it announced the CTR Anniversary model, 30 years after the debut of the original CTR. Now the CTR Anniversary model is finished and was to be delivered to its customer on the RUF stand during press days of the auto show.

The new car, pictured above in the same yellow as the original car, offers 700 hp from a twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat six pushing the screaming yellow zonker’s 2,640 pounds to 62 mph in less than 3.5 seconds and thence down the road to a top speed of 223 mph.

Acht du lieber.

The CTR Anniversary model isn’t just a tuner 911, either. Earlier RUFs were made from 911 bodies in white purchased directly from the factory in Stuttgart then built out to exacting RUF specifications that made a great car even better. But this one goes beyond even that. None of the parts are Porsche parts. The entire car is made by RUF.

It starts with an all-new, RUF-designed bespoke carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, the first RUF sports car to be based on a chassis completely of the carmaker’s own design. The body, too, is carbon fiber and proprietary to RUF. The front crash structure is not made of aluminum extrusions front and rear as is usually the case with carbon-fiber sports cars; they're steel structures also of RUF’s design.

The flat six is built by RUF with inspiration from the original Yellow Bird, another iconic RUF 911. It’s a dry sump lubrication system to keep oil flowing during racetrack loads. The engine is mated to newly developed six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential.

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“The concept for the 2017 CTR is one that I have had in my head for a very long time,” said Alois Ruf, president and owner of RUF Automobile GmbH. “We have been waiting for the right point in our history to build our own car and the 30th anniversary of the CTR ‘Yellow Bird’ is that moment.”

“We began development on the new CTR five years ago with the goal of creating a thrilling, analog driving experience that combines an amazing power-to-weight ratio, manual transmission and modern racing technology,” said Estonia Ruf, marketing manager and a Ph.D. in economics.

RUF also debuted the 991.2 GTS-based RUF GT at the show. It has a 3.0-liter flat six making 515 hp, 476 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 3,200 pounds of curb weight. It’s mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission, moving the car from 0-62 in 3.4 seconds. It has a RUF ducktail and front splitter to keep it on the ground up to its 199 mph top speed.

As they say here in Geneva banking circles, these things ain't cheap. The RUF GT starts at 235,000 euros, or about $265,840. The CTR Anniversary is 800,000 euros, or just over 900 grand. Even if you had that much dough, all 50 of them are already spoken for. Es tut mir Leid.

While the CTR is now 32 years old, RUF the company is in its 80th year. It was started by Alois Ruf's father as a garage and, later, gas station. The family started working on Porsches in 1963 and has been at it ever since. Frohes Jubilaum!